Manchester United Banter Archive May 04 2014

 

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04 May 2014 22:28:39
A review of the situation we are in.
A number of players who are past their best,
Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Giggs, Valencia, Carrick.

A number of players who haven't reached their potential or are not quite good enough
Young, Nani, Cleverly, Rafael, Welbeck, Hernandez, Kagawa, Fellaini

A number of players whose injuries have limited their effectiveness this season
RVP, Fletcher, Evans, Jones, Smalling

Add a manager who didn't quite match up to the task and you end up with 7th place.

Of the various players mentioned, I suspect only only Rafael, RVP, Kagawa, Jones, Smalling, Evans, Wellbeck Hernandez and Cleverly have a future in the first team as either regulars or squad players.
This makes the task facing the next manager immense!
Whoever takes over needs time and money! I think DM was sadly out of his depth, although I would have liked him to succeed.

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Cleverly should be first out the door. Terrible player. I'd pay for his taxi myself

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I second that. ill help pay the taxi fare ouyta Manchester altogether

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04 May 2014 21:39:40
with utd in need of defenders this summer, a lot of hype is being talked up of joel veltman? arsenal and tottenham have been linked, but with LVG odds on to take over, surely utd could have the edge over both? also is otamendi an option and with u21's and academy players like keane, varela we could have some good options there? thoughts?

cheers edds! Scott.

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Scott,
Otamendi has already been transferred to Valencia

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04 May 2014 19:39:21
F.A.O Mumbai & Huggy

I seen Ed02 reply to look up tha archive's as to why we missed out on Hazard etc, I believe this C&C is a good explanation.

Have said for a long time we need a sh1t-hot negotiator in our transfer dealings:

Hazard - won't pay agents fee
Moura - deal agreed and gazzumped by PSG at last minute
Van Persie - offered 10m initially and paid 24m!
What I found really Intresting was all the hype over Fellani and many of us believed he would be an awesome player. Times have changed we have not replicated the class of 92 and rarely buy cheap WC talent. We need to buy big now and then we can make the players coming through the youth dev better players. Its long been proven that players play great when they have great players around them. S.A.F refused to pay OTT but we need to now if we want to compete at the top. and the best chance of landing these players is by keeping the Agents happy. A happy Agent = A kind word in a players ear and a strong signature. its going against SAF beliefs but its the only way we can get WC players in.

On another note. while looki g in the archives I could not believe the abuse and ridicule Ed02 has recieved for his knowledge. I've been on this site for many years and cut n copy ain't something I see Ed02 do. With that in mind its a wonder he bothers to reply at all or share what he knows. Too many people push their luck on this site.

Ed02. If you can implement foul cards into this site, i'm sure many would agree to doing it. This way when a vegetable is erratic or abusive they will recieve a card just like in football. also if they could be seen beside their sign in name. others would know to throw caution to the wind when they see a card. if someone accumulated many reds then he recieves a permanent ban.

Can we have a poll on it?

Reddevilfan

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04 May 2014 19:08:53
ED a question for you. There has been a rumour that a Mr Peter Lim of Singapore is interested in a United takeover and earlier this year a story came out about a Qatari takeover resurfacing again, what do you think will happen about the ownership of United in the close near future?

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{Ed002's Note - That is not something I am prepared to discuss.}

I can't see the current owners selling any-time soon. I base this assumption on the fact that they - if the press are to be believed - are willing to invest upwards of 150 million on new players'. That don't seem like the actions of owners who are looking to sell in the near future.

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Adam2101, samthered,
Peter Lim's networth is about 1.6 billion USD and MUFC is easily 1.5 times that value. So the only way he can buy the club is by a leverage buyout just like the glazers. There no point to be happy even if the reports are true and the deal is done.

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04 May 2014 21:27:43
Mr peter Lim's interest is now with Milan. (Source. Ed02)

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Thanks for the information, PR.

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04 May 2014 18:09:04
There are some rumours flying about which I think are totally implausible, like Robben. But there is the Hazard one, and I think it has more legs than most think. If he has fallen out with Mourinho he won't be long out the door, he's got booked for diving today which won't go down well and his comments were bitterly replied to by Jose. We have got Mata off of them so I see no reason why we couldn't get Hazard. Press on with deals for Shaw, Carvalho and Kroos (try for Reus) and we wouldn't be far from complete.

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Fresh I agree with what you say. But surly psg would be interested and I'm sure I've read hazard is a big fan off psg?

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You do get carried away alot. Hazard is no Mata. Chelsea won't let him leave and even if he does, am pretty sure PSG will move heaven and earth to get him

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No idea how credible any of these reports are and his supposed falling out with Mourinho, but if he were to become available I would hope United would do whatever it takes to sign him. Hazard has the ability to create something out of nothing and is still very young and PL proven. He would help solve the lack of cutting edge that's so apparent in our squad, particularly when RVP is out which could be quite often.

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That is the problem, the competition would be huge but we seem to be willing to offer huge deals. I suppose it depends on how he feels about us and the EPL. Whatever you say, Ligue 1 is a very poor league.

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I think the Mata deal suited everyone. Chelsea got a big fee for a player who they weren't using and who's stock was still high. United signed a fantastic player when our season needed a pick me up and Mata gets to play for Man Utd.

The Hazard one is different. There would be a que of teams wanting him. I know Jose can be a stubborn bloke but with the end of the season approaching, I think Hazard will come back from the WC and everything will be back to normal. That's not to say I wouldn't love the lad at the club, I just think there are more obstacles in the way than Mata or RVP.

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Guys remember Hazard wanted CL football and coming to either us or city then against the odds Chalsea won the final the rest is history Hazard is not utd bound

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Hazard Reus Cavani Mata what a front four and the way people are talking its going to happen be realistic guys

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Hazzard will go where the money trail goes if Chelsea want to sell. Highly doubt it and really a waste of time. More chance of us landing Reus, fabregas or herrera than Hazzard.

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It's no secret that Hazard wants to play in Spain one day, so the question is how long would he want to stay and could we actually sell him for a profit?

At the moment he's throwing a hissy fit about Chelsea's tactics, but it may also be putting himself in the shop window before the World Cup. I'd avoid him like plague, top player but we'd be paying through the nose for a player he wants to use us as a stepping stone.

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Offer rooney why should sulking get you your own way hazard would be brilliant and the other players wouldn't feel its just rooneys team 300 ooo to much then what other players going to ask for lvg do it show the team whos boss

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Not a chance we will get Hazard, and by the way some of you are going on your going to be disappointed come the end of the transfer window

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Ackerman is spot on re CL football.
Hazard will go to PSG for £60m+.

As will Pogba for similar fee.

So if one had been given a first team chance or even first squad chance and the other we'd paid the agents fees both would have been in United shirts now. Makes ya think doesn't it :(

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04 May 2014 17:30:00
Question to any off the eds or my fellow united family

Now I know the chances are pretty much 0% but what do people think off possibly swapping rooney for hazard with cash on top?

I know hazard chose Chelsea over us but everybody makes mistakes don't they?. This would be good business for both teams Chelsea get the striker they want and need and we get a player we wanted and now need.

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{Ed004's Note - I would agree to it but not a chance in hell Chelsea will}

We all thought zero chance of van Persie or Mata though and they happened.

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Yes Fresh, I agree.

Especially after the RVP and Mata transfers no transfer sounds impossible.

And I'd prefer a Hazazrd-Rooney swap.

Jose's defensive expectations will never allow Hazard to be the player that he can really be!

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04 May 2014 18:06:15
Ed

What if we offered rooney Aswell as 20 million? Surly Chelsea would have to think about it? As fresh said who would off thought mata or rvp would be wearing a united shirt

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{Ed004's Note - Just can't see it happening ever}

That puts hazard value at about 55 million. Doubt he is worth that much. Robben is better value.

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Robben is 31 soon though. It could happen, especially with Jose and his interest in Rooney.

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31 or not he rips everyone a new one and the hardest inverted winger to play for most defenders.

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Totally agree with GCU. Robben is a world class winger and for a reasonably low fee we could easily get 2/3 good years out of him.

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I'm not saying we will even get hazard but why on earth would you choose robben over hazard yeah are robben may be the better ATM but his 31! Hazards what early 20s? Could get 10 years out off him instead off 2-3 with robben

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United lad.

Sorry but IF we do get Hazard he won't be staying for 10 years. He wants Spanish football. So 3 years forRobben at a relatively lower price is worth it. Imo

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Hazard has a picture of himself mocked up in a Real shirt from stories knocking around before we tried to / Chelsea signed him.

PSG have the money so suspect he's going there first as he's not a guaranteed first teamer at Real at the moment. Different story in say 3 years time though so suspect Hazard to PSG now, and mega money move to Real later.

I'm sure his agent will be pleased as the lad is going to give him £150m + of career club signing fees from which he'll get a tasty chunk I'm sure.

The Bar Steward. Not jealous. Honest lol.

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04 May 2014 17:10:55
ED why do you think we have missed out on bargain deals in the last 6-7 years.


We've seen other clubs pull off the below deals:

Vidal to Juventus - £9 million
Azpilicueta to Chelsea - £7 million
Cahill to Chelsea - £7 million
Coutinho to Liverpool - £8.5 million
Eriksen to Tottenham - £11 million
Alba to Barcelona - £11.5 million
Shaqiri to Bayern - £9.5 million - Ok, he's not a starter but that's due to the quality they already possess in that position


I can go on and on

All these players have gone on to become crucial first team starters for their respective teams.
Now these above deals are not out-and-out bargains in the sense that the money paid is a considerable amount, yet it is not a huge sum for the quality that is being bought in return. That is what makes it a bargain.

The only ones I can think of who have made a real impact have been Vidic and Evra since they have gone on to become first team starters for us.


Considering that there will be few big signings this summer I think we can use 1 or 2 of such "bargains".

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{Ed004's Note - I can't answer that with a sensible reply tbh. How am I meant to know if we contacted the player and he told us he only wanted the team he moved to. Certainly Vidal had his pick of teams including Bayern and real etc. also some of them are over rated IMO anyways}

I believe one of the major reasons Manchester United have missed out on a lot of players in recent times (last 5-10 years) is due to the fact we don't as a club pay agents massive fees.

I have heard that the clubs refusal to pay excessive fees lead to the break down of the Lucas Moura and Hazard deal. Agents knowing the clubs position tout their clients to clubs that will pay higher agents fees to get the deal done.

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{Ed002's Note - Someone has been misleading you. The archive here explains about Hazard and Moura. Worth a read.}

Powell still has the chance to become a first team player for us, maybe only the handful of games next season but will certainly be looking to cement a place the following year

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ED what I meant to ask is that are we not watching the right players?

My concern is that this is a very important window for us and we have been linked with some really big name expensive high profile players but at the same time are we watching any such bargain players?


Because since the Vidic/Evra transfers we haven't really signed any such bargain players who have gone on the make a real impact to the first team.
(No Smalling/Chicha do not count imo. Jones @ £16.5m could be a bargain if he goes on to be our CB for the next 10 years)

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{Ed004's Note - Again I do not know the clubs plan or who they are watching}

04 May 2014 15:57:35
A few weeks since my last post as i've struggled to deal with wanting city to win the league( to stop the scousers). A lot of time spent thinking about our demise. I have told anyone who will listen, for 3 years about how slow and lacking energy our performances have been. We lost on goal difference to city because we stopped going after teams and scoring 3 or 4, instead happy to win 1 nil with minimum effort. Last year we won a poor league comfortably but were carried by RVP and his goals, no one can say we played good attractive football. This year it has all caught up with us. We are one of the slowest teams in the league, playing pedestrian football that the opposition can easily defend against. Who in our team is comfortable on the ball and can run with it? The reason we are all so excited about Adnan is because he can, we also have Kagawa and Mata who can pass and move the ball at pace, these are the type of players to lift our game and spirits but the mentality has set in that we can't play them. Fergies last few years scraped the last scraps out of average players but his tactics became less and less attacking and more about defending our 18 yard line, probably because he knew the players didn't have the legs to play any other way, and in my opinion why he decided to retire, because he knew they were finished.
Anyway to the future, I believe we have some good players, DeGea, Raphael, Smalling, Jones, Evans, Mata, Kagawa, Rooney, Januzaj and Rvp and maybe a couple of others who are decent squad players. WE HAVE TO BUY a left back, a centre back, 2 centre mids and a left winger. All of these most have pace and as they say a good engine. If we do that the future will once again be bright, but the lessons must be learnt not to let the team stagnate again.
sorry for the long rant, hope it makes sense to some and welcome your responses. Also a quick thanks to the Eds for continuing the good work and Ed02 don't let the persons drag you down.

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{Ed004's Note - I agree with everything you have said there. Good post}

After watching the U-21's the other night, I am convinced the U-21's CM is a lot better than the first teams. For one things it has bags of pace and energy, and isn't too shabby in the technical department.

I so hope some of those lads get their chance next season.

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LVG has SO much to do to inject pace and creativity into our tired and ageing team:

Get rid of old guard and inconsistent performers who lack any sort of passion for the club (we all know who)

Promote youth: Wilson, Pearson, Varela, Keane (should replace Rafael imo)

Reinvigorate frustrated first teamers (incl Jones, Evans, Mata)

Swap deal involving Kagawa and Reus/Hummels

Bring in young, hungry players willing to learn LVG's quick pressing game: Shaw, Carvalho, Reus (And the older Fabregas or Kroos)

Essentially building whole new team: lose dead wood, invest in youth as he builds great foundations for next man (Klopp or De Beur?) to take over.

Lose sentimentality of Fergie and class 92 (excellent though they were at the time) and plan ahead for a new exciting era.

Can't wait!

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Wallace,
I couldn't agree more.

A mixture of new signings and promotions from the Under 21's, should be the way forward.

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Gr8 post Wallace

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And indeed inhopes original

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04 May 2014 15:03:37
Will Lvg keep Kagawa and get more out of him? Or will he still look like one of the playerslikely to leave

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Likely to leave for me. He will play two faster wingers and an advanced midfielder in front of two box to box players like Carvalho and Kroos. We have Mata and Rooney for those roles and Kagawa will be way down the selection line.

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04 May 2014 21:57:57
Id keep Kagawa and sell rooney

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04 May 2014 13:18:36
Who would fit in to the infamous LvG "system" better, Rooney or Cavani?
Many seem to want to see the back of Rooney and Cavani as of yet is the only touted replacement.

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{Ed004's Note - Neither unless RVP is sold or benched}

Rooney best. Cavani has to play through the middle otherwise he is both ineffective and unhappy.

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04 May 2014 13:01:43
GCU

You keep trying to vindicate Moyes, you supported him and want people to think it wasn't anything to do with him, just bad players, you were therefore right about him all along, that's the issue in your post. If your favoured manager hadn't torn up the clubs targets last summer, dithered on new ones and then panicked wasting cash on Fellaini we would be far far better off. The clubs whole direction took a massive dive in ambition, leadership and power when we appointed the wrong one and that is a reason for where we are, not just players. He told these players they were not good enough and they haven't played well since, catastrophic management. There is also nothing to play for now and some of the ones Giggs put on the pitch yesterday likely knew they will be out the door, they lack confidence because of 10 months going in the wrong direction that is one of the main issues. Yes there is a need for players to be brought in, Yes, more should have happened last summer and before, yet the team now is still better than yesterday suggests but it will improve with an inspiring manager bringing fresh impetus, direction, leadership and coaching as well as new players.
None of the insults you throw out to anyone who challenges you will ever justify Moyes time at our club, it is time you accept it and move on.

Red Man

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Red Man, when you accuse GCU of patronizing DM long after he is gone, you have been anything but the other extreme. Infact you kept picking on any negative and put the blame squarely on Moyes. Now that, we don't see the "marked" massive improvements that everyone predicted, its again down to Moyes? So Moyes dented their confidence to the extent, the players can't seem to get their act together. What would you suggest, therapy sessions or may be a break from football like Jonathan Trott did post the Ashes. It is ridiculous how you can't see that these group of players are just not good enough. How about Carrick ot even playing 10% as good as he played last year? What about Persie missing a lot of the campaign through injury and when playing hasn't really been moving mountains.

They are being paid a ridiculous amount amount mate, its hard to take the gaffer not being good enough excuse. Half of us were baying for Moyes' blood (and some Rooney's) for us playing p!ss poor this season. Well both of them were not available, did I see the fast free flowing football that Moyes had somehow shackled?

I agree with Shahram, the players should take a lot of the blame. I am sold on the fact that we need some radical changes, Moyes was well on his way to do that. He succumed to player power. May be he was just not good enough, but I am waiting for our world beaters to prove me wrong and trailblaze their way to glory. Its time to be humble about it and just accept, it will take time and we are just not good enough!

Deeps.

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Agreed deeps the truth is staring us in the face some choose not to see

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04 May 2014 14:21:02
Its a combination of the two. Too many players have been allowed to age without being adequately replaced for which the blame lies with Fergie and the owners. But moyes was the wrong man for the job.

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SAF was immense instilling amongst other thing a supreme confident in players and staff. Once he left they all deflated and shrank.
The next manager needed to address that, Moyes was never the man to do this, did not carry the aura of invincibility required to lead our club forward. confidence remained low and we lost.
Moyes was also unable to bring in the requsite no. of players needed to lift the team and club also he was doomed to fail, and he did.
the next managers job is no easier, in fact harder as the team and staff are so damaged by the recent performances they are broken and the opposition is full of confidence especially at old Trafford, our players are afraid at home.
Bigger job for next manager now more than ever, it will take a very strong, arrogant manager with truck loads of experience, someone our players and staff can't help but respect even if they may not like him, LVG seems to fit the bill, I don't see anyone else at the moment.
So get over SAF he's gone, and yes the problems began when he left after 27years, forget Moyes he never had a chance, not strong enough, not experienced enough (winning), and definitely not respected enough by his team and staff alike.
Cross your fingers because even though LVG looks to be the right decision, it's still going to be an hell of a job from here, and if he fails we are then f*.cked. The situation we find our selves in as to be turned around now, or things will get even worse.

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A mixture of both as said above, poor manager and older underperforming players.yesterday was as bad as its been all season couldn't understand giggs selections and then subbing mata, it was that bad I left the ground with nearly 10 minutes left to play and got in the pub before the after match rush :)

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Everybody knows that the players aren't good enough and that squad needs a massive rebuild. That is the truth.

But the truth is also that Moyes was not the man to rebuild the squad. People seem to ignore the fact that he spent £65m without addressing a single one of our major problem areas. He had no clear idea of where he wanted to take the squad, and for those who say he was about to clear out the squad: Nani, 5 year deal. He spent 10 months fumbling around, and failed to convince the board that he was capable of bringing in the right calibre of players.

Our squad being poor in no way vindicates anything Moyes did during his tenure. He was a poor poor manager for the club, and people just need to give up the ghost because he's gone and will soon be forgotten.

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I agree some of the posters who correctly say it is a mixture of a lot of things. Saf/gill leaving, Moyes being appointed, players not respecting his coaching methods, disastrous transfer dealing when he bought fellaini, sacking backroom/management staff, telling players who have just won the league that they're not good enough.
Moyes was doomed from the start and he didn't make his job easier by getting rid of the backroom staff.
I also read a ridiculous post saying that as Giggs has failed (after two games!), then the problem wasn't Moyes after all! Where is the logic in that? These same posters were telling us for the past year to give Moyes a chance, and yet, Giggs is total rubbish for not being able to revitalise the team after two matches?! Double standards I fear.
As some posters said, Moyes was never going to be the man to rebuild the team, he's simply not good enough. And thankfully, he's gone, so let's move on.

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I recognised there is some blame on the players but badly led badly motivated badly organised demotivated players are the fault of who? The players? Moyes was totally accountable and rightly paid the price. It seems a lot of people say they are paid so much so that should motivate them. Money is not a motivator, it is a Hygiene factor, look it up if needed, however you can be demotivated by money so let's ignore what they were paid.
No new manager has come in, there is little to play for and I imagine like us they are all wishing the season finished yesterday. Those same players delivered a championship 12 months ago but those who don't want to see Moyes failings just want to blame the players. Yes strengthening was needed, I said last summer he should be supported in the market but we now understand that his dithering left us short.
The players have to answer for their performances and what happened in their ranks but even that showed what a poor leader he was. The OP from GCU was a classic it's never his fault it's the players, almost a Scouse position.
Moyes was found rightly accountable, he has rightly gone and some need to get over it, time will heal those who feel his loss but he was never the right man for the job.

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Red Man

A very famous player said you never walk off the pitch and say the manager lost us that game but it is the players who underperform. You should stop playing fifa/chess football and realise it is the players dummy.

If it makes you feel better go ahead and believe it was all Moyes.

Many among the supporters and pretty much all the pundits have said for a few years that we are an average side and always amazed how we won what we won. We have been rubbish for a long time and it took Fergie retiring to bring it all to a boil.

You are boring as you have nothing to say but it is all moyes fault. Will probably use that next year when they under perform because the poor lads are mentally hurt.

Now run along and play some fifa football.

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Most people recognise it is a mixture of moyes and the quality of the squad.
Others seem to think this is all moyes fault and this is a great squad capable of winning the league by 11 points.
in fact the squad is so good we just need to spend £200 mill to challenge for the title

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Jred

How did your bets go this weekend.

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Jred

I think we will announce 2 signings before the world cup :)

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GCU

My first line said I recognise there is some blame on the players but I do understand why you still defend your David. I also understand relationships quite well and I realise you are very upset but I can assure you that time will heal your relationship issues and the hurt from David leaving will ease.

David has gone now, paid the price for being inadequately skilled, and we can now really move forward, with a new leader, someone who knows how to lead.

I recognise it wasn't 100% Moyes, but he was accountable (do you understand the difference between responsible and accountable?) whether you like it or not. Sadly you can't see it was even 1% Moyes fault, happily our directors did

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Redman

I never said DM made no mistakes but still off the view that it is more player related than manager related. 80% player 20% manager I say.

I am now totally indifferent to him leaving and will support the next manager and believe he will need 2 years minimum to show signs of change.

I do however take issue with you trying to make though sound like DM was 90% of the problem and now everything is going to be ok.

In the last 3 or 4 years we have struggled to beat some of the most average opponents whether in Europe or PL. There is a case of other teams have improved but there is also a case of Our standards have dropped and many players currently in the squad are not of United Quality especially when you consider we are paying top wages globally.

Finally, I think you are the one with relationship issues and acting like scorned lover by DM, who blames all their problems in life on one thing LOL.

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04 May 2014 12:51:12
Just wondering is it just me or do others want Bayen to loose to Dortmund which would lead to Guardiola being sacked (it's a high probability). Would love to see Guardiola being hired for the Utd job. Tiki taka may well come in and Guardiola can make the team from scratch(almost), get the players he wants and hopefully attract the biggest of players.

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{Ed004's Note - Wouldn't want Pep tbh}

IBleedBlue

City, Chelsea or Everton?

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04 May 2014 14:30:20
Pep has never built a team. He inherited a very good base at Barca with a top class academy where he could promote some top class players and he had messi. But they got found out and have no plan b. And he had a poor record in the transfer market.

At Bayern he again inherited a very good side, with a top academy and some top players bought for him. But no messi and again no plan b.

Arsenal are often called the Barcelona of the premier league and Wenger plays in that style. Trophies won in 8 years?

Pep is last of my list.

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Byron, we use that slogan for the Indian Cricket Team as well ;)

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I would be pretty shocked if Pep were sacked this season but I guess stranger things have happened. Not sure Pep would be first on my list as the new United manager, but that being said I do think he's quality and I like his philosophy. I do love how after his Champion's League exit everyone is calling him a poor manager all of a sudden.

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Please no, not tika taka. I'd rather watch live knitting.

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04 May 2014 12:20:32
Disappointing performance and to be honest, I am looking forward to a clean break with LVG coming in with his own men. The transfer news is exciting and the style of play he brings is great. Interesting fact, out of everyone in the league who has crossed the ball more than 10 times Ashley Young ranks bottom for accuracy with stats of 4.5%

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04 May 2014 11:03:41
Here's a thought. LVG appears to be the favourite for the managers job and clearly he is very experienced and talented. Looking at his record though, he won the Champions' League in 1995, having won the UEFA Cup in 1992. That's a long time ago. Just saying

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I think we to concentrate on our league form first before we start thinking about what manager can win in Europe

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Van Gaal is a risk we have to take. There is no one else of adequate stature and experience interested in the job at this time.

The rebuilding job is massive. Whoever comes in may fail, but in order to succeed they will need, at the very least, a clear vision and the strength of character and purpose to overcome the sentimentality attached to the Ferguson era.

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04 May 2014 11:57:39
The point is we need an outsider who has a track record of going to under performing big clubs and rebuilding them by clearing big egos and promoting youth. As you said further down we won't challenge for the title next year and we all know we need a big rebuild.

Van Gaal is the best going since Ancelotti and Klopp have ruled themselves out. Pep I don't rate, Conte is too defensive and Simeone won't move yet and needs to improve his English anyway.

Van Gaal for 3 years to steady the ship, cut out the underperforming deadwood and promote and develop the best of the youth would get us back on track before handing us on to a long term successor, maybe Giggs, maybe de Boer, or Klopp or Simeone.

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Yes but he is a fan off good wingers like bayern munich and real madrid were champions league might be won past two years robben ribbary bale ronaldo pace guile go past players pace counter attacking football would like pedro and the one from psg two cm we could have a good season next year heres hoping

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04 May 2014 10:28:45
A part of Ryan Giggs' interview has been edited. Besides rio and evra, giggs also wants to bring back a few "great servants" to the club. Namely bryan robson, schmeichel, van nistelrooy, beckham, bruce among others. The reason being they have given massive service to the club. Someone please tell sir giggs that its not smart to bet on a limp horse for a derby race. To ride an elephant in its prime is a thing of pride but you simply do not carry it on your shoulder once its dead. Atleast he didn't say he wanted the club to play sir charlton as well. What is giggs thinking. Its time to let go of sentiment and move forward.

Cheers

Shan

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04 May 2014 07:21:02
What is the pages twitter handle?

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{Ed002's Note - Try the search engine.}

04 May 2014 06:29:38
We all know we need an overhaul, it that brings it's own challenges. From what we have seen this year, most of our players have not performed to anywhere near rather right level. Some are now too old and nearing the end of their careers, some are probably not good enough, and some have simply not turned up. So, let's say we sign a left back, a centre back, 2 centee mids, at least 1 wide player, and a forward (I'm convinced Rooney will leave), that's an awful log to players to integrate. Look at Spurs this year, there were many on here slobbering over their signings but other than Eriksen, they haven't worked out.

So, who thinks we can win the title next year? I'm not convinced as that would mean signing a lot of players and everyone settling in quickly and working out. I think we can have an exciting season, play attractive football if the right man is appointed, compete, win the cups, and make the top 4. But to win the league will take us more than 1 window. Am I being pessimistic or realistic?

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Sheesh, apologies for my spelling. Touch screen and fot fungers

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I think you're being realistic and there's a lot of sense in your words. While I do think United will be more active this window than many recent season's past, I don't think we're going to see the total first team overhaul that some people are expecting. One or two centre backs, a left back, and a midfielder would have me happy enough while clearing out a bit of the deadwood.

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With the right manager and significant investment I believe we will challenge for the title the season after next year.

We might be in for a rough period if people expect us to turn on a light switch and win the league . Any new players or manager will need time to adjust especially if they are coming from outside the PL.

This is Fergie's team who is now retired. For good reason they performed best under him but now we need to move on and accept a couple of steps backwards before we go forward again, SO you are not being pessimistic mate and just a realist.

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AJH definitely realistic.
I think the changes will come over the summer and that the players will arrive. A LB, CB, 2 CM and a winger. However, you are right that it will be difficult for them all to gel instantly and then maintain it for the entire season.

I see us starting well and then having a couple of wobbles along the way.

Realistically if we can have a good cup run and finish in the top four then we will have had a very good season. Unfortunately there will be that massive expectation to win everything.

Whoever the next manager is has a really tough job. We are nearly a season without SAF and we have not recovered from him leaving yet. I think a major cull with lots of fresh faces and a new direction is the best thing that can happen. As fans we need to be realistic of what next season will bring.

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Spot on AJH. But I suspect or rather side with the Eds that we need 3 transfer windows to significantly challenge for the title.

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04 May 2014 10:12:33
No that's realistic, i'd take top 4 next season as that's going to be a tough battle anyway, as long as we appoint the right guy and clear out the has beens and never will be's.

No point listing who's past it, not good enough or just underperformed we all know who they are. I'm hoping for a big clear out upto ten gone, keep the core, sign 4-5 and promote similar amount of youth.

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It is unrealistic to expect us to win the league given the changes ahead. I think third is a realistic goal with big investment and a top manager plus perhaps a good chance at the FA Cup.

One thing to remember is that it appears we won't have any European football so can focus very strongly on the league, no resting players and like Liverpool this year it has given them a chance.

A new inspirational leader may well set the goal of winning the league but top three would be a good recovery after the club lost its direction this season. We must set the platform to improve the following season.

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Self-imposed exile (ok short I know but respect is a 2 way street) over for now. I posted over a year ago we needed 8 players ( That's first team players and some may come from our youth Hopefully). We need a LB, CB, 2 CM, at least 1 wide player, preferably 2 and a striker ( RVP is not young) and it seems a RB, all of the above, except perhaps 1 of the CM.s need pace. They all have to be top players too, but that should be a given.

If we can get 4 or even 5 of those in the summer we should be in the mix. The rest next year and Title contenders again.

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8 new players and a top four finish next season plus another three players next summer will probably do it.

This summer we need LB, 2 x CB, 2 x winger and since none of our midfielders are the required standard, 4 x central midfielders.

Next summer we need a right back and two centre forwards.

All eleven need to be top quality players 'cos there's no point in replacing Ashley Young with Ashlo Younez.

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04 May 2014 11:59:47
Is there anyone in the current squad you rate Andrew because that's pretty extreme to me.

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It's extreme because the squad has been allowed to deteriorate to such a poor level.

In answer to your question, DDG, Mata, van Persie, Mata, Januzaj, Kagawa.

Happy to give Jones, Welllbeck, Smalling and rafael another season to seee how they develop.

Perhaps the biggest omission from this list of keepers is Rooney. While I do rate him, I'm now convinced we could better move forward as a team without him.

The rest can all go as far as I'm concerned because they aren't good enough.

By the way, I'm more than happy to see some of the youth team come through and fill some of those vacant positions providing they're good enough. Right now though, I think we need players who are experienced and ready to go at the top level.

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04 May 2014 06:02:33
Inevitable result from the start with giggs showing the same idiocy as his predecessor. Seeing as I had no hope with an attacking four of Hernandez, mata, young and nani, I decided to play a new game. I tallied all of Ashley young's end products, crosses and shots. He had 17 crosses from open play or corners, only 1 of which found a teammate, which was a corner to evra. 1 out of 17!! His two shots failed to hit the target as well. So that's one almost chance created out of 19 attacks. If giggs is joined with ferguson and moyes as the only people on earth who don't realize how terrible he is and how destructive he is to any teams attack, then I don't want him anywhere near the team sheet or transfer room.

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04 May 2014 10:04:04
We invented a new drinking game, based on drinking everytime united cross, battered by half time.

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Not meaning to sound rude but what did you expect?

We have a guy with less than weeks management experience as boss plus has the same squad to use that has failed so miserably this season.

He was never going to be the answer and was rather unfair if you expected him to be.

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04 May 2014 05:35:32
Just looking at player stats.

Adnan has had more attempts at goal in less games than young and valencia put together.
So why is he not playing?

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I have also been wondering why he has not been playing, it seems very odd.

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